BMW 8 Series Key Fob Issues, Antenna Problems?

Hey there! I have some experience working on BMWs and dealt with a very similar issue on my 2018 BMW 7 Series. The symptoms you're describing remind me exactly of what I faced. My car started having remote key problems, and like yours, I had to use the physical key. The workshop found it was just a faulty cable connection to the antenna module. The fix was pretty straightforward and cost me 95 Euro. The mechanic replaced some connections, and everything's been working perfectly since then. Could you share which error code you're getting? Also, did you notice any other electrical issues before this started happening? This info would help me confirm if it's the same problem I encountered. If you need a reliable workshop recommendation, let me know, I've been taking my BMWs there for years!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My 8 Series is at 93619 KM and had its last service just two months ago. The error code I'm getting is "Key not detected" and yes, I've actually noticed the power windows being a bit sluggish lately too. Good to know it might just be a connection issue, that sounds way less scary than what I was imagining! Did your repair come with any warranty? And how long did it take them to fix it? I'm hoping to get this sorted without spending too much time at the workshop.

Hey again! Glad to help further with your BMW issue. Yes, those symptoms do sound exactly like what I experienced! When my 7 Series had these problems, I was also getting that same "Key not detected" error, and funny enough, I had sluggish windows too. Mine was at about 85000 KM when this happened. The repair job took about 2 hours total at my workshop, and they did give me a 1-year warranty on the work. The sluggish windows actually cleared up after they fixed the antenna connection, turns out it was all related to the same electrical issue. They had to remove some trim pieces to access the wiring, but it wasn't a major teardown. Since you mentioned your car was serviced recently, I'd double-check if they might have accidentally disturbed some connections during that service. That's actually what caused my issue, a routine service where they had to remove some panels ended up pinching one of the antenna cables. The warranty really gave me peace of mind, and I haven't had any issues since the repair. Just make sure your workshop uses genuine BMW parts, learned that lesson the hard way with a previous repair!

Thanks so much for all these details! That's super helpful, especially knowing about the potential connection with the recent service. I'm actually feeling pretty relieved now, sounds like I might be dealing with the exact same issue you had. I'll definitely ask about the warranty and make sure they use genuine parts. Think I'll book it in next week and specifically mention the antenna cable connection problem you experienced. It's really reassuring to know it's likely just a 2-hour fix rather than some major electrical nightmare I was imagining. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, us BMW owners gotta stick together when dealing with these quirky issues!